Israeli PM Orders Military Plan to Evacuate Rafah and Defeat Hamas, Reports Reuters

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose

DOHA/JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israel’s military on Friday to prepare a dual strategy for evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza, while also eliminating remaining Hamas fighters in the area.

This decision comes amidst increasing pressure on Israel regarding its proposed ground assault on Rafah, which has become a sanctuary for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge after fleeing from other combat zones.

U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Israel’s military response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas, describing it as "over the top". He emphasized that the U.S. would not endorse any military operations in Rafah without ensuring civilian safety.

Aid organizations have warned that a full-scale assault on Rafah could result in significant Palestinian casualties and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the city, located near the Egyptian border.

Netanyahu’s office stated, "It is impossible to achieve the goal of the war without eliminating Hamas. Therefore, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the IDF and the security establishment to submit a combined plan for evacuating the population and destroying the battalions." This statement follows Netanyahu’s rejection of a ceasefire proposal from Hamas that included provisions for the release of hostages.

As Israel’s military campaign continues to intensify in Rafah, the city’s population has swelled to over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom are now living in makeshift tents near the border fence. Medical professionals and humanitarian workers in Rafah face immense challenges in providing even basic aid and controlling the spread of disease.

Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, warned against the escalation of violence in such a densely populated area, calling it a recipe for disaster.

The humanitarian impact of the conflict is evident, with reports indicating that nearly one in ten children under five in Gaza is acutely malnourished. Some residents have resorted to eating grass to survive. The charity ActionAid noted that many people in Gaza have access to only inadequate and unsafe water supplies.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 27,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed since the beginning of the conflict, with thousands more injured. As Israeli airstrikes continue, health officials confirmed the death of at least 15 individuals in recent operations, including eight in Rafah.

Witnesses report harrowing experiences, with one elderly resident recounting the destruction of his home and the loss of family members in an airstrike.

Israel asserts that its military actions target militant cells in Khan Younis and other areas, emphasizing attempts to minimize civilian casualties while accusing Hamas of hiding among civilians. However, Hamas has denied these allegations.

In light of the continued violence, the U.S. has intensified diplomatic efforts in the region, advocating for a ceasefire. President Biden stated his belief that the response in Gaza has been excessive and expressed concerns about increasing humanitarian aid and the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

A recent ceasefire proposal from Hamas suggested a four-and-a-half-month truce, conditional on the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. However, Netanyahu rejected the terms of this proposal as "delusional," affirming Israel’s commitment to combatting Hamas until the group is neutralized.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducted a diplomatic visit to the Middle East, while discussions among Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh focused on preventing the conflict from escalating throughout the region.